2 local businesses chosen to compete for grant

Sunday

Feb 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Two Tuscaloosa companies are among 13 start-up companies that have been selected for the 2013 Alabama Launchpad Start-Up Competition.

Staff report

Two Tuscaloosa companies are among 13 start-up companies that have been selected for the 2013 Alabama Launchpad Start-Up Competition.The companies are Thrupore Technologies, a nanotechnology start-up that provides superior catalysts for chemical manufacturers based on advanced materials science, and Zambooki, an Internet and Web service company that helps individuals and businesses find contractors for various projects.Teams from the 13 companies will compete for grant awards totaling $100,000 in the entrepreneurial competition sponsored by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. A total of 22 start-ups entered this year’s competition, and a panel of five judges comprised of entrepreneurs, investors and corporate stakeholders selected the finalists.The Launchpad competition promotes, rewards and increases the pipeline of high-growth, innovative ventures that have the potential to grow and thrive in the state, according to a statement from the EDPA Foundation. “We were not only pleased by the number of applicants for the proof of commercial relevance around, but found the start-ups to be highly diverse in terms of technology and their business ideas quite advanced,” said Greg Sheek, Launchpad programs director.In past years, only groups associated with universities were eligible to compete. This year, the restriction was lifted, allowing companies like Zambooki to enter. The competition continues through May. Each team has been provided a mentor who will serve as a resource throughout the competition process.Teams will submit business plans and make a “pitch” of their business idea to judges on March 4. The field of 13 then will be narrowed down further. Those advancing will then submit a revised business plan for a market assessment.Startups with a favorable assessment will be invited to present for the final round and will submit a final version of their business plan and make a final presentation on May 3, when the winners will be announced.Alabama Launchpad was started seven years ago.“Alabama Launchpad is proving to be an invaluable asset for the state’s aspiring entrepreneurs, and by helping them develop their ideas into successful, high-growth ventures, the competition benefits the broader landscape of Alabama’s economy,” EDPA President Bill Taylor said in a statement.Alabama Launchpad receives support from six partnering public universities — Alabama State University, Auburn University, the University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of South Alabama — and is funded by corporate sponsors and the Alabama Research Alliance, a program of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Participants from the two Tuscaloosa start-ups are team leader Martin Bakker and team member Franchessa Sayler for Thrupore Technologies, and team leader Heath Hendrix and team members Joshua Watkins, Matt Wright and Robby White for Zambooki.